BMX bandit Sam Willoughby and Paralympian Matthew Cowdrey steal the show at Slowdown

A BMX world champion and Australia's greatest ever Paralympian inspired the Crows to a one-point win over interstate rival Collingwood in yesterday's West End Slowdown.

Adelaide's BMX bandit Sam Willoughby, who also won a silver medal at the London Olympics, and swimming sensation Matthew Cowdrey kicked nine goals between them to thrill a vocal 8000-strong crowd at Glenelg Oval.

The pair had a pretty good support act in Tony Modra, who kicked four goals, but it was left to Eddie Hocking to convert a 30m set shot in the dying seconds to win the game.

Willoughby showed the power he puts through his BMX pedals can also be put through a football with a best-on-ground performance to claim the Slowdown Medal.

His solo effort to dance around Scott Burns and goal on the run from 45m beat Collingwood player Leigh Brown's 60m torpedo for goal of the day.

"I can kick a lot further than I ever could but they're just not that accurate," said Willoughby who flew in from the US.

"I played footy up to under-16s with Flagstaff Hill before choosing BMX but it's been a while since I've had a kick.

"I don't have much run left in my legs ... I'm going to be hurting tomorrow."

Of the seasoned veterans, Modra and Mark Ricciuto proved the adage that great players never lose it by turning back the clock with glimpses of their brilliant best, while Sean Tasker and Kym Koster were handy in defence and Andrew Jarman at his flamboyant best in the midfield.

Chants of "Rooo" when Ricciuto got the footy were only matched by those of "Coll-ing-wood" from a band of loyal Magpies supporters in enemy territory.

Collingwood was well served by Burns and Brown in the middle and Rupert Betheras on the wing while Shane Wakelin and Simon Prestigiacomo were handy in their cameo roles up forward.

The Magpies led for most of the day and were 10 points up at three-quarter-time before a seesawing final term.